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Nov 14, 2004 | 06:30 PM

GrayRanger4x4

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Joined: Jun 2003

Posts: 1,777

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From: Perry,Ga.

Need your Opinions......

I have to buy another Ranger {wife wreaked mine not her fault

} and just went ya'lls opinions on what to get.I'm looking for one with the new rounder body's but I like the TTB front end.so I'm looking in to buying a 93 -96 Ranger. What do yal'll think and what are some good/bad things to look for?
Things I do went 4x4.auto,4.0, ext cab.

Thanks Jeff

Nov 14, 2004 | 06:44 PM

Rocky J

Elder User

Joined: Sep 2004

Posts: 538

Likes: 2

From: Florida

4.0, auto, extended cab. Only way to go in my opinion. Just look closely for evidence of previous overheating or other hidden damage. A buddy bought a truck similar to mine several years ago and it had been overheated at one point. It still runs good but burns a quart of oil every 1200 miles. The only evidence that it had been overheated was the protective wrap around the upper radiator hose was cracked and brittle (crumbled when you touched it) and the water pump had some slight seepage around it.

Look for leaks around the front and rear seals on the auto trans. Rear is no biggie, a $10 seal that can be replaced easily without dropping the tranny. The front leaking is a different story.

Nov 15, 2004 | 05:52 AM

Fordsflylow

Postmaster

Joined: Feb 2004

Posts: 2,595

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From: IL

Great truck/year but a bit hard to find. The only way it could be harder to find was if you wanted a 5-speed manual. I spent 2 solid months looking for the one I own now and it was worth it. Never was able to get the 5-speed manual though.

I'd do as Rocky suggested and also get the vin# and run a background on whatever vehicle you are interested in. Also, if possible, see who all owned it prior. I bought a one owner in his 50's, came in to trade it off on another Ranger. I've had nothing go wrong with my 94. I mean nothing and I'm nearing 125k.

Nov 15, 2004 | 10:33 AM

AG4.0

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Joined: May 2003

Posts: 1,211

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From: York, NE

I love my 93, can tell the previous owner was a bit hard on it, but it still runs good, and is in good shape for the most part. Issues I've had are the brakes needed replaced, but I know this when I bought it, and I've had to get the 4x4 shift motor unjammed. But it works gret now and didn't cost anything to fix. I'm up to 123k, just put it through another opening weekend of huning season. The thing is a beast. I was able to find one with the 5-spd, but I had to sacrifice getting an extended cab, because I couldn't find one with both.

Nov 15, 2004 | 11:46 AM

Mauler

Junior User

Joined: May 2003

Posts: 64

Likes: 0

From: Western PA

'93 to '96 Ranger

I picked up my 1996 Ranger X-cab 4X4 4.0 5 speed this past January. 62,000 miles on it then, 68,000 now. Replaced the turn signal switch asm. because of non-functional intermittant wipers. Not knowing the background maintenance done on it prior I changed the transmission and transfer case fluid. It is equipped with the 3.27 gears, which seem too high for some applications, but does get over 18 MPG consistently on the road.

Nov 15, 2004 | 07:54 PM

racsan

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Sep 2003

Posts: 1,980

Likes: 2

From: central ohio

got lucky when i found mine. a green '93 s/c 4x4, 5-spd, 3.73s, came with cap even. only had 65,000 miles on it and looked like it spent it's "off" time in a garage. apparently owned by somone in military sevice, it had gate pass stickers in the windshield for peterson a.f.b. power everything, the only options it doesnt have are the auto trans and limited slip diffs (and i really want to know why a truck sold new in colorado didnt come with limited slip. anyhow i paid around 10 grand for it, i know, a bit too much, but i figured it was just as good as a new one and a new one set up the same would be around 22 grand (and i prefer the ttb to the torsion bar suspension) once in a while a good truck will pop up, you just have to keep your eyes open, i wasnt even looking at the time i found this one, but when i found it, i dumped my wife's problematic montana van and she drives the taurus now. looking for a explorer now for her.

Nov 16, 2004 | 02:46 PM

GrayRanger4x4

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Joined: Jun 2003

Posts: 1,777

Likes: 1

From: Perry,Ga.

Thanks for the info.I need to find an auto tranny one for the wife to be able to drive it,
Also what is ya'lls opinion on one with the 3.0. I heard that the 3.0 is down on power in the 4x4s.My dads 01 2x4 has a 3.0 and it does ok{not as good as the 2.9 as far as low end grunt}.So what do ya'll think??